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Adena Cancer Center staff, friends mourn nurse who died in Pickaway County

CHILLICOTHE - Colleagues and patients are mourning the death of an Adena Medical Center nurse at her Pickaway County home Friday.

Meanwhile, the Pickaway County Sheriff's Office is trying to determine what happened when Amy L. Diehl, 44, of Circleville, died.

While few details were released, Sheriff Robert Radcliff said his office received a call of a person injured from a gunshot wound at about 11:49 p.m. Friday. Diehl was taken by Pickaway Township EMS to Berger Hospital where she was pronounced dead, the report said.

Deputies, detectives, and Radcliff went to the scene and called a crime scene unit from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist. County Prosecutor Judy Wolford and County Coroner Dr. John Ellis were also at the scene.

No one has been charged in connection with the shooting yet, but James J. Mcvey, 44, has been charged with having a weapon under disability and remains in jail. At his Circleville Municipal Court appearance Tuesday, he waived his preliminary hearing and his case will go to Pickaway County Common Pleas Court. His bond was set for $75,000.

Autopsy results are expected to determine whether Diehl's death was accidental, self-inflicted, or a homicide.

According to Maria Smith, Adena Health System communications director, Diehl was confirmed as a research oncology nurse. Smith said hospital chaplains have been at the cancer center Tuesday. "There's grief counselors up there to talk to folks who might need it," she said.

Diehl was fondly remembered by many of her loved ones as someone who liked to help others, a trait they said prompted her to pursue the medical profession.

"Amy was always one to help others and I think that’s why she wanted to be an oncology nurse," Tonya Howard, who had been friends with Diehl since they were fifteen. "She took pride in helping others and that’s what I want her to be remembered for, that amazing smile and her beautiful soul."

Carrie North, who worked with Diehl for three years at Adena Cancer Center remembered her co-worker for her caring nature and her laugh.

"I remember situations where she would go out of her way to make sure patients had what they needed," she said, going on to say that Diehl had also welcomed her into the work family when she was hired at the center. She described Diehl as selfless.

Howard remembered meeting Diehl at Pickaway Ross Vocational School as students and said they'd been inseparable ever since. We called each other soul sisters, she said.

Another close friend, Sheri Cochenour, remembered her best friend of 28 years.

"Amy and I helped each other through everything," she said, going on to say Diehl had stood by her through her battle with breast cancer. "I'm not sure my cancer battle would've turned out like it did without her. I knew what I was in for and I was so afraid of the drugs. But she held my hand through it all."

Cochenour recalled how she and Diehl would quote the movie "Pretty Woman" constantly and never forgot to remind each other of their love. Her last text from Diehl, she said, was "I love you."

Like Howard, Cochenour said she wanted her friend remembered for who she was.

"I want the nurse part to shine, the hero part to shine. Not the domestic violence victim part," she said.

Cochenour, who is also godmother to Diehl's daughters, said she's proud, especially now, to fill that role for them.

Above all, the women remembered Diehl as a loving mother.

"First of all, she was an amazing mother," North said. "They were her world and anybody who knew her, knew they came first."

By Tuesday, nearly a dozen condolences were left on Diehl's obituary and even more on her Facebook profile. Many remembered a nurse, a family member, a friend.

A Facebook group, Justice for Amy, was also created on Monday, although Cochenour said she didn't think Diehl would want to be remembered in that way.

"Amy gave us courage, and hope, and unconditional love," Cochenour said. "We were best friends for 28 years. I have no idea how to do that next 28 without her."

Diehl's visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wellman Funeral Home in Circleville. A funeral service will be held Thursday at 1 p.m.at the funeral home.

Radcliff requests anyone with information contact the Pickaway County Sheriff's Office at 1-800-472-6033 or 740-477-6000.